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PNT Ultra-Extended Edition

Blankie and I at the eastern terminus of the PNT, which is also a CDT alternate terminus at Chief Mountain Customs on the USA/CAN border. The PNT lacks an official terminus monument at either end. | 7/1/21 Mile 0.0 5,329' Glacier National Park, Mont

The first panoramic view the PNT had to offer, located in the Belly River valley. | 7/1/21 Mile 4.6 4,680' Glacier National Park, Montana

Blankie crosses a fine bridge over the Belly River. | 7/1/21 Mile 6.1 4,640' Glacier National Park, Montana

Blankie takes in the view while catching his breath on the very steep trail up to Stoney Indian Pass. Little did we know climbs of this gradient would soon become normal. | 7/2/21 Mile 15.2 5,675' Glacier National Park, Montana

Blankie, never one to take a candid photo. Here he takes a break up Stoney Indian Pass. | 7/2/21 Mile 15.2 5,675' Glacier National Park, Montana

Blankie crosses a snow field on the north side of Stoney Indian Pass. 2021 was an unusually warm spring preceded by a low snow winter, yet the rangers were still fear mongering about snow conditions up high. To be honest, they were full of it. This

Lake Francis as seen from the trail up to Brown Pass. | 7/3/21 Mile 33.9 5,355' Glacier National Park, Montana

Looking back into Glacier NP across Bowman Lake just before hitchhing down the dirt road into Polebridge, MT. Polebridge is an off-grid community of a dozen or so people that threw one hell of a 4th of July party. | 7/3/21 Mile 49.1 4,030' Glacier N

Blankie begins the long walk up Forest Road 376, part of a 12 mile roadwalk to the next stretch of trail. Shortly after this photo was taken Blankie backtracked to Polebridge and took the next 300 miles off due to illness (not COVID, thankfully). |

The first PNT blaze seen on the PNT. | 7/5/21 Mile 64.2 4,202' Rocky Mountains, Montana

Skeeter and Sparky prepare camp in what would be the worst mosquito swarm of the entire hike. We built a fire to try to keep them at bay, Sparky even tried wearing shoes on his hands, but to no avail. A day or so later, fires became illegal and woul

The 2017 Gibralter fire burned 13,000 acres on the PNT along the Whitefish Divide. Here the damage is visible on the north face of Mt. Locke. | 7/6/21 Mile 88.0 7,005' Rocky Mountains, Montana

Tex, Sparky and Skeeter enjoy a welcome hitch up a forest service road in the back of a converted ambulance. | 7/6/21 Mile 95.6 4,060' Rocky Mountains, Montana

The view out the back of a converted ambulance that gave us a hitch up a forest service road. | 7/6/21 Mile 95.6 4,060' Rocky Mountains, Montana

I thought it was funny that my shadow made it look like I'm riding a horse. The red tint comes from smoke that blew in the night before. It would remain in some capcaity until reaching the coast. | 7/7/21 Mile 101.2 5,444' Rocky Mountains, Montana

Mt. Wam lookout, a decomissioned fire lookout tower now used for inclement weather shelter, or just a rad place to camp. | 7/7/21 Mile 104.6 7,203' Rocky Mountains, Montana

Whoever placed this border sign installed it up a steep hill behind a bush when there was a perfectly good spot just below. This was literally the best image I could muster. The PNT started at the Canadian Border and would remain within a few miles

The US/Canada border swath. On the Mexican border they put up a wall to keep people out, but the Candians are so nice they make it even easier for you to cross! | 7/8/21 Mile 122.1 5,510' Rocky Mountains, Montana

Burma Rd., the first paved road walk of the PNT. Luckily I made it to the road after accidentally bushwhacking into private property. It being Montana, things could have gone poorly. | 7/8/21 Mile 130.1 2,802' Rocky Mountains, Montana

Blankie and I did some tub laundry to avoid the unnecessary cost of the laundromat next door. | 7/8/21 Mile 133.5 2,676' Eureka, Montana

Blankie waits for a hitch to Libby, MT so he could rest up and continue hiking later down the trail. | 7/9/21 Mile 141.0 2647' Rexford, Montana

The ridge I 'schwacked to the summit of Lookout Mountain. | 7/15/21 Mile 291.3 6,787' Selkirk Mountains, Idaho

Lower Priest Lake as seen from Lookout Mountain. | 7/15/21 Mile 291.3 6,787' Selkirk Mountains, Idaho

The Lookout Mountain Lookout tower, used for fire surveillance starting in 1929. The shadow in the foreground is from the replacement raised shelter, also decomissioned in favor of more modern tools. | 7/15/21 Mile 291.3 6,787' Selkirk Mountains, Id

Lower Priest Lake, which is not on the PNT but I noticed a route down to it while mulling over maps and just had to go for a swim. | 7/15/21 Mile 299.1 2,480' Selkirk Mountains, Idaho

After crossing into Idaho without really realizing it, it was nice to see someone set up a small monument to denote the Washington border. | 7/16/21 Mile 316.1 3,460' Selkirk Mountains, Washington

Damage from the 2017 Noisy Creek fire along the Shedroof Divide. | 7/16/21 Mile 320.0 6,175' Selkirk Mountains, Washington

Looking back toward Lions Head ridge in Idaho from the Shedroof Divide in Washington. | 7/16/21 Mile 320.0 6,175' Selkirk Mountains, Washington

Fireweed takes over the mountains in the wake of the 2017 Noisy Creek Fire. | 7/17/21 Mile 329.4 6,102' Selkirk Mountains, Washington

Blankie had to get off trail around 300 miles back thanks to a nasty bug he caught, thankfully not COVID. Gandalf and Snickers, old pals of mine from the AT, volunteered immediately to host him in their home in Spokane until I made it to Metaline Fa

Mary, a very generous Metaline Falls local allows thru-hikers to camp in the yard of her boat rental and guide service business. The PNT passes straight through the middle of town, which is about a block long. | 7/18/21 Mile 355.0 2,059' Metaline F

Blankie, excited to get back on trail after taking over a couple of weeks off to recuperate. | 7/19/21 Mile 355.0 2,059' Selkirk Mountains, Washington

Nooch holds on for dear life during a hitch up to the next forest road on route. | 7/19/21 Mile 355.0 2,059' Selkirk Mountains, Washington

Blankie heads down the saddle of Abercrombie Mountain as a wall of smoke begins to blow in. | 7/19/21 Mile 370.7 7,060' Selkirk Mountains, Washington

Nooch and Blankie, one more stoked than the other on the 100 degree 13 mile roadwalk into Northport, WA. | 7/20/21 Mile 390.8 1,689' Selkirk Mountains, Washington

Nooch, Grouse Bite and Blankie pause for a quick pee on the roadwalk into Northport, WA. | 7/20/21 Mile 391.0 1,689' Selkirk Mountains, Washington

Nooch, Grouse Bite and Blankie trudge along in 100 degree heat on a 13 mile roadwalk into Northport, WA. | 7/20/21 Mile 391.0 1,689' Selkirk Mountains, Washington

Blankie poses in front of a clear cut, a sight all too common in the Pacific Northwest. | 7/21/21 Mile 407.1 2,021' Kettle River Range, Washington

What a lovely meadow on the side of this here forest road! | 7/21/21 Mile 408.3 2,052' Kettle River Range, Washington

Blankie enjoys the company of a small butterfly, who refused to pose for my picture. | 7/22/21 Mile 435.0 4,190' Kettle River Range, Washington

Blankie emerges from the brush on a decommissioned Forest Service road. | 7/22/21 Mile 441.2 4,801' Kettle River Range, Washington

Nooch enjoys a gander after taking the wrong forest road a few miles back, thus adding distance to his day. | 7/22/21 Mile 441.2 4,801' Kettle River Range, Washington

A sizeable chunk of the PNT passes through recently burned areas. The smoke getting thicker every day painted a bleak picture for the future of our forests, and our hike. | 7/22/21 Mile 442.4 4,387' Kettle River Range, Washington

Blankie inflates his sleeping pad at the "Deer Creek Forest Camp". We were expecting something a bit greener, but of course it all burned down a few years back. | 7/22/21 Mile 444.7 4,602' Kettle River Range, Washington

Blankie settles in for what would become three hours of attempted hitching in a new cloud of smoke that had blown in overnight. | 7/24/21 Mile 474.6 5,587' Kettle River Range, Washington

I was convinced to buy these hilariously short orange shorts for the hike, and I have to say the short short game is the one I want to be playing from now on. Just check out that tan line! | 7/24/21 Mile 474.6 5,587' Republic, Washington

Blankie enjoys the gentle grade of Forest Service Road 600 after a steep and thick bushwhack down the shoulder of Edds Mountain. | 7/25/21 Mile 485.8 4,025' Kettle River Range, Washington

The Okanogan Highlands, a band of hot, dry grassland with sparse tree cover that stretches from British Columbia down into Eastern Washington. | 7/26/21 Mile 500.1 2,908' Oganogan Highlands, Washington

The Okanogan Highlands, a band of hot, dry grassland and sparse tree cover that stretches from British Columbia down into Eastern Washington. | 7/26/21 Mile 500.1 2,908' Oganogan Highlands, Washington

The Okanogan Highlands, a band of hot, dry grassland and sparse tree cover that stretches from British Columbia down into Eastern Washington. | 7/26/21 Mile 500.1 2,908' Oganogan Highlands, Washington

Colville National Forest, famous for their desire to get as many cows as possible in the woods, of course at the detriment of forest health but benefit of their wallets. | 7/26/21 Mile 506.4 2,077' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

Blankie endures a very hot asphalt roadwalk on the way to the next trail. | 7/26/21 Mile 506.7 2,077' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

Blankie makes his way through the blowdowns on a burn area bushwhack. On this particular 'schwack, Blankie lost both his sunglasses and a trekking pole, to his great disappointment. | 7/27/21 Mile 511.4 3,804' Okanogan highlands, Washington

Blankie shows off his elegant living accomodations. | 7/27/21 Mile 431.5 4,910' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

Blankie, stoked to be horizontal after a steep and hot climb to camp. | 7/27/21 Mile 431.5 4,910' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

The Pacific Northwest is home to many wild and wonderful creatures, and it's nice to see these people taking the proper precautions through quality signage. | 7/28/21 Mile 537.6 3,466' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

Blankie takes advantage of his extra-wide sleeping pad and goes for a float on Lake Bonaparte. Less than a week later, a fire burned most of the circumference of the lake and surrounding mountains. | 7/28/21 Mile 549.7 3,551' Okanogan Highlands, Was

If there's one thing Blankie loves, it's walking on logs. | 7/29/21 Mile 555.6 5,804' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

Blankie makes his way across Mt. Bonaparte on an impromptu bushwhack. | 7/29/21 Mile 555.6 5,804' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

Blankie scrambles up a rock covered in deadfall on a bushwhack I devised to avoid a 1,200' pointless up down. As Blankie said, "that's a nice boulder".| 7/29/21 Mile 555.6 5,804' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

Back on forest roads! | 7/29/21 Mile 568.0 3,644' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

Hot and exhausted, we found a bench on the side of the road and just had to take a sit. Can't you see how excited we are? | 7/29/21 Mile 556.8 3,604' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

Overnight, fresh smoke and ash blew in from the nearby Cub Creek and Cub Creek 2 fires. | 7/30/31 Mile 575.5 1,146' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

What would have been a stellar view across the Similkameen River Valley into the Pasayten Wilderness was completely obstructed by smoke. | 7/30/21 Mile 581.2 990' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

What would have been a stellar view across the Similkameen River Valley into the Pasayten Wilderness was completely obstructed by smoke. | 7/30/21 Mile 581.2 990' Okanogan Highlands, Washington

Thanks to Washington state land closures due to fire danger, an alternate route was necessary to enter the Pasayten Wilderness. Sunny Pass, visible in the background, would be our way back on to the primary route. | 8/1/21 Mile 636.7 2,150' Pasayten

Blankie, Grouse Bite and Nooch work on lightening their food bags on our first day out from town under the cover of my tarp in a PNW mist. | 8/1/21 Mile 640.2 2,102' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Grouse Bite and Nooch, who I walked with for a several hundred miles and in the process got quite chummy with. | 8/1/21 Mile 640.2 2,102' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Blanke and I finished dinner and chores, but it was still light out so we filled the time making double exposures. | 8/1/21 Mile 640.2 2,102' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Blanke and I finished dinner and chores, but it was still light out so we filled the time making double exposures. | 8/1/21 Mile 640.2 2,102' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Blanke and I finished dinner and chores, but it was still light out so we filled the time making double exposures. | 8/1/21 Mile 640.2 2,102' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Looking across to Amphitheater Mountain and Cathedral Pass, the highest point on the PNT primary route. | 8/2/21 Mile 652.6 7,206' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Grouse Bite and Nooch just before taking a dip in Upper Cathedral Lake. We weren't there for it, but Nooch proposed to Grouse Bite just before arriving at the western terminus. | 8/2/21 Mile 656.2 7,305' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Damage done by the 2017 Diamond Creek Fire. | 8/2/21 Mile 657.1 6,859' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Boundary Trail 533 was the primary route through the Pasayten on the PNT. It was unrelenting with its alpine meadows and crumbly peaks, and better yet, it was nearly smoke free! | 8/2/21 Mile 658.6 6,650' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Sheep Mountain, just over the other side is the Canadian border. | 8/3/21 Mile 670.9 6,937' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Blankie makes his way to Quartz Mountain on Boundary Trail 533. | 8/3/21 Mile 670.9 6,937' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

More damage from the 2017 Diamond Creek Fire. | 8/3/21 Mile 672.1 6,595' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Descending Quartz Mountain to ascend once again again up to Bunker Hill. | 8/3/21 Mile 675.5 7,005' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Looking a couple of miles north into Canada at a pair of fires while being surrounded by recent burn scars. Fire's no joke, and they're only going to get worse. | 8/3/21 Mile 679.6 7,169' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

At long last, the North Cascades come in to view! From there until the end, the trail would truly be in the Pacific Northwest. | 8/3/21 Mile 679.0 7,060' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Blankie triumphiantly makes it to the top of Frosty Pass. | 8/4/21 Mile 700.3 6,520' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

The smoke plume from the Cub Creek Fire to the south rises above Blizzard Peak. This fire was one of the most problematic for us the whole hike, we were in its smoke for a couple of weeks and it closed a pretty vital resupply point. | 8/4/21 Mile 70

Blankie lost his underwear in the morning. Luckily a full gear survey led to their discovery in the bottom of his quilt. The smoke from the Cub Creek Fire rises in the background. | 8/4/21 Mile 700.3 6,520' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Blankie stretches out in the fading warmth of yet another excellent day in the mountains. | 8/4/21 Mile 700.3 6,520' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

I find the ground to be consistently cold, hard, wet and sad, so for the PNT I upgraded my hammock setup and took to the skies once more! | 8/4/21 Mile 700.3 6,520' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

The PNT follows the PCT for 14 miles from just south of the border to Holman Pass. I expected to see thru-hikers, but fires essentially closed this stretch of the PCT. Compared to the PNT, the PCT might as well be a sidewalk! | 8/5/21 Mile 704.8 6,8

The North Cascades as seen from the PCT under a high altitude layer of smoke. | 8/5/21 Mile 706.1 7,001' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

When I hiked through the Rock Creek Basin a couple of years before on the PCT, it was sleeting and visibilty was poor. It was such a treat to come through again in better conditions! | 8/5/21 Mile 711.5 6,410' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Looking south from Rock Pass on the PCT. | 8/5/21 Mile 711.5 6,410' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

The PNT follows the PCT for 14 miles between Castle Pass and Holman Pass. I was confused the whole time on the PCT why I didn't see any nobos finishing their hike. Because of the Cub Creek Fire, those that still chose to hike in the smoke were mostl

At long last, true PNW conditions! | 8/6/21 Mile 727.3 6,982' Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

Noisy dries her tent on the shores of Ross Lake. | 8/6/21 Mile 737.6 1,760' North Cascades, Washington

Ruby Creek, a tributary of the dammed Ross Lake. | 8/6/21 Mile 746.1 1,648' North Cascades, Washington

A very nice mountain dwelling kook had a bag of wine at our road crossing, which he shared with us in generous quantities to make hitching a little more interesting. He also claimed to have stashed scotch in nearly every corner of North Cascades Nat

Noisy and Blankie drunkenly wait for a potential hitch to pass. | 8/6/21 Mile 746.4 1,698' North Cascades, Washington

Noisy takes a knee after a healthy shot of Crown Royal from a man at the trailhead. | 8/6/21 Mile 746.4 1,698' North Cascades, Washington

Skeeter and Blankie enjoy a ride to Marblemount, WA to raid the gas station roller dog machine. | 8/6/21 Mile 746.4 1,698' North Cascades, Washington

Hikers raid the Marblemount gas station in the rain. | 8/6/21 Mile 746.4 1,698' Marblemount, Washington

Blankie, Sparky, Skeeter and Noisy play cards in the rain while stalling on making our next move. | 8/7/21 Mile 746.4 1,698' Marblemount, Washington

I didn't know it until seeing him, but this statue is a role model of mine. | 8/7/21 Mile 746.4 1,698' Sedro-Woolley, Washington

The storm broke and a faint rainbow came in to view, so naturally we all had to check it out. | 8/6/21 Mile 746.4 1,698' Sedro-Woolley, Washington

Blankie poses under a spot of sun in the dense forest that is the North Cascades. | 8/9/21 Mile 770.9 3,612' North Cascades, Washington

Why hike two miles when you can hike half a mile, cross a creek and end up in the same spot? | 8/9/21 Mile 775.0 2,464' North Cascades, Washington

When you see a big tree, you hug it! | 8/9/21 Mile 776.0 2,660' North Cascades, Washington

Blankie and Noisy just had to take a dunk in some glacial runoff. I thought it best to watch from the side, a decision I'm still pretty stoked on. | 8/9/21 Mile 777.7 2,979' North Cascades, Washington

Skeeter, Blankie and Noisy try to warm up from their glacial runoff dunk in the only spot of sunlight around. | 8/9/21 Mile 777.7 2,979' North Cascades, Washington

Blankie warms up after a cold swim. | 8/9/21 Mile 777.7 2,979' North Cascades, Washington

Noisy being her usual photogenic self as she warms in the sun from a glacial river dunk. | 8/9/21 Mile 777.7 2,979' North Cascades, Washington

Skeeter, Blankie and I enjoy the suns dying rays. | 8/9/21 Mile 777.7 2,979' North Cascades, Washington

Whatcom Peak, shrouded in fog. | 8/10/21 Mile 780.8 5,802' North Cascades, Washington

Sparky tops out Whatcom Pass after a very steep climb up. | 8/10/21 Mile 780.8 5,802' North Cascades, Washington

Skeeter and Blankie cross the Chilliwack River via cable car, which makes for a much safer crossing when flow is high. | 8/10/21 Mile 786.8 2,624' North Cascades, Washington

Ruth Mountain as seen on the Hannegan Pass Trail. | 8/10/21 Mile 794.5 4,055' North Cascades, Washington

Ruth Mountain as seen on the Hannegan Pass Trail. | 8/10/21 Mile 795.5 3,905' North Cascades, Washington

The aptly named Granite Mountain. | 8/10/21 Mile 794.5 4,055' North Cascades, Washington

My shirt underwent some prolonged unplanned disassembly, so it had to be retired. | 8/10/21 Mile 797.1 3,010' North Cascades, Washington

Mt. Shuksan. | 8/11/21 Mile 812.0 4,801' North Cascades, Washington

The formidable Mt. Baker. | 8/11/21 Mile 812.0 4,801' North Cascades, Washington

Heading down to Swift Creek from Austin Pass. | 8/11/21 Mile 813.5 4,518' North Cascades, Washington

Blankie, Skeeter and myself enjoy the Mt. Baker hot spring. | 8/12/21 Mile 822.1 1,256' North Cascades, Washington

Mt. Baker hot spring in the smoky morning light. We wanted to soak the night before, but we were asked not to until morning so a couple could have a "spiritual experience" in them for their anniversary. That was fine by me, given that when Blankie a

Thick smoke rolled in out of nowhere overnight, terrible in every way other than what it did to the light. | 8/12/21 Mile 822.1 1,256' North Cascades, Washington

Blankie poses in a spotlight of smoky rays. | 8/12/21 Mile 822.1 1,256' North Cascades, Washington

Noisy wouldn't let me get away without one of myself too. | 8/12/21 Mile 822.1 1,256' North Cascades, Washington

Look closely and you can see Noisy lounging on the far tree in the water. | 8/12/21 Mile 822.1 1,256' North Cascades, Washington

Blankie gazes at me longingly from the shore of Baker Lake. | 8/12/21 Mile 822.1 1,256' North Cascades, Washington

Sunset over Mt. Baker. | 8/12/21 Mile 822.1 1,256' North Cascades, Washington

This nice motel wasn't very happy when Sparky hung his tent to dry over the railing, so I figured it would be best just to dry my socks in our window instead. | 8/13/21 Mile 847.7 856' Burlington, Washington

Another double exposure, here Noisy plays her own ghost. | 8/14/21 Mile 856.0 3,364' North Cascades, Washington

An outtake from our double exposure rendition of "The Last Supper". | 8/14/21 Mile 856.0 3,364' North Cascades, Washington

A hikers interpretation of the painting "The Last Supper", recreated with double exposure. | 8/14/21 Mile 856.0 3,364' North Cascades, Washington

Easton Glacier, pictured here is nearly all bare ice thanks to the exceptionally hot summer burning off what little snow remained. Climbers we ran into said they had never seen conditions like this earlier than October in previous years. | 8/15/21 M

The view after coming over the top of Bell Pass. | 8/15/21 Mile 862.8 3,990' North Cascades, Washington

According to the logging companies and the US Forest Service, clear cuts "make room for a view". Some view, eh? | 8/16/21 Mile 877.1 2,981' North Cascades, Washington

Hog Mamma, Blankie and Skeeter enjoy the flat and wide Cascade Rail Trail, an alternate route that circumvented active logging and more clear cuts. | 8/17/21 Mile 898.6 66' North Cascades, Washington

Skeeter and Sparky prepare to get back at it after a water fill up. | 8/17/21 Mile 917.5 2,609' North Cascades, Washington

Skeeter, Hog Mamma (Bjorn, as seen on past expeditions) and Sparky pose in some nice light on Anderson Mountain. Bjorn parked his car near the end of the PNT, rode on gravel roads to Bellingham unsucessfully looking for me, so he continued east unti

At long last, the Pacific Ocean came into view! Well, actually, the Puget Sound. Still, salt water! | 8/17/21 Mile 922.9 2,810' North Cascades, Washington

One of my favorite ways to hang is over a hole in the ground, there's so much more room for activities! | 8/17/21 Mile 923.5 2,580' North Cascades, Washington

Sparky, in Lucas's loaner clothes, and Hog Mamma dry gear on the porch. | 8/18/21 Mile 932.3 360' Bellingham, Washington

Hog Mamma, Skeeter and Lucas take a snack break on our way to the Coupeville Ferry. | 8/20/21 Mile 952.9 18' Puget Sound, Washington

Hog Mamma and Lucas prepare their bikes for departure. Rather than an 80 mile roadwalk, we decided to bike this stretch as to give us more time to drink beer in town. | 8/20/21 Mile 952.9 18' Puget Sound, Washington

Lucas shows off his pride and joy touring bike. | 8/20/21 Mile 952.9 18' Puget Sound, Washington

Skeeter and Lucas apprehensively wait to turn on to Highway 20, the most highly trafficked portion of our bike route alternate. The PNT primary walks mostly roads for 80 miles from Bellingham to the Coupeville ferry, which sounded awful. So we just

Hog Mamma takes advantage of some soft ground in between pedals. | 8/20/21 Mile 981.1 8' Puget Sound, Washington

The PNT primary route takes the Coupeville Ferry across the sound to Port Townsend. Easiest six miles of forward progress I've ever made! | 8/20/21 Mile 1014.2 0' Puget Sound, Washington

Hog Mamma and Noisy wait for Port Townsend to come into view. It's also Noisy's most recent home town. | 8/20/21 Mile 1014.2 0' Puget Sound, Washington

Skeeter keeps a keen eye out for Port Townsend. | 8/20/21 Mile 1014.2 0' Puget Sound, Washington

Port Townsend as seen from the ferry. | 8/20/21 Mile 1017.2 0' Puget Sound, Washington

Skeeter, Noisy, Blankie and Hog Mamma stroll through downtown Port Townsend. | 8/20/21 Mile 1,018.1 15' Olympic Peninsula, Washington

The approach to Olympic National Park on the Tubal Cain Trail 840. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,067.0 5,212' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Noisy, Hog Mamma and Sparky take a break to enjoy the view since our permits had us doing a shorter than normal day. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,068.5 6,015' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Noisy chugs along to Marmot Pass. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,069.0 6,220' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Onward! | 8/24/21 Mile 1,069.6 6,245' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Noisy pauses to look at Mt. Baker poking through the clouds in the distance. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,069.0 6,220' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Noisy makes her way to Marmot Pass. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,069.0 6,220' Olympic Mountains, Washington

There was no shortage of quality pranks at the tail end of the hike, here Hog Mamma tied a rock to Noisy's pack during a break that she didn't notice until she started walking again. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,070.0 5,890' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Noisy, short for Noise Complaint. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,073.9 4,760' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Hog Mamma ascends Constance Pass. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,074.8 4,764' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Hog Mamma grabs a snack before the final climb of the day. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,075.6 5,800' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Constance Ridge. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,076.1 6,150' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Noisy happened to sit in the perfect sunset spotlight, fitting since the campsite was called Sunnybrook! | 8/24/21 Mile 1,077.2 5,011' Olympic Mountains, Washington

The crew watches sunset over the Olympics. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,077.2 5,011' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Skeeter and Noisy, lost in the setting sun. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,077.2 5,011' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Sparky with some fresh dome-side fireweed. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,077.2 5,011' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Hog Mamma, Skeeter and my near-death crocs. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,077.2 5,011' Olympic Mountains, Washington

While watching sunset, a presumably military aircraft flew overhead. | 8/24/21 Mile 1,077.2 5,011' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Mt. Cameron. | 8/25/21 Mile 1,092.3 5,612' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Lost Peak, as seen on the Grand Pass alternate route. | 8/25/21 Mile 1,092.3 5,612' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Upper Cameron Basin, with one of the most steep and slippery trails yet even though it doesn't look it. | 8/25/21 Mile 1,093.1 6,550' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Mt. Cameron. | 8/25/21 Mile 1,093.1 6,550' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Upper Cameron Creek, as seen from camp. | 8/25/21 Mile 1,094.5 5,760' Olympic Mountains, Washington

A tight hang as there was a storm rolling in overnight. | 8/25/21 Mile 1,094.5 5,760' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Hog Mamma paces around camp waiting for the sun to set. | 8/25/21 Mile 1,094.5 5,760' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Hog Mamma poses on the way up Grand Pass. | 8/26/21 Mile 1,099.3 6,472' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Hog Mamma outruns a storm into Port Angeles, WA. | 8/26/21 Mile 1,103.0 6,436' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Skeeter makes way for everyone else exploding their bags in our cheap motel room. | 8/26/21 Mile 1,069.5 47' Port Angeles, Washington

Hog Mamma loiters outside while waiting for everyone else to pack up. Being out in the open is also safer, since he could make sure nobody slipped the 5 oz bath bomb we'd been shuffling around into his pack. Mileage discrepancy due to alternate rout

Skateboarders get a bad rap. | 8/27/21 Mile 1,069.5 47' Port Angeles, Washington

Hitching back up to Hurricane Ridge. | 8/26/21 Mile 1,069.5 47' Port Angeles, Washington

Hurricane Ridge looking down into the Elwha Valley. | 8/27/21 Mile 1,080.2 5,757' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Hog Mamma makes is way down Hurricane Ridge through the clouds. | 8/27/21 Mile 1,080.2 5,757' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Skeeter poses on the way down a 5,200' descent in less than 4 miles. | 8/27/21 Mile 1,082.2 2,757' Olympic Mountains, Washington

The former lake bed of Lake Mills, home of one of the largest dam removal projects in the world. | 8/27/21 Mile 1,124.0 605' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Mt. Olympus as seen from the Seven Lakes Basin. | 8/28/21 Mile 1,142.9 5,180' Olympic Mountains, Washington

Hog Mamma makes his way down the Bogachiel River Valley at sunset. | 8/28/21 Mile 1,157.0 1,590' Olympic Mountains, Washington

We commandeered the motel parking lot in the name of gear drying. | 8/29/21 Mile 1,182.3 197' Forks, Washington

Our first steps on the beach. | 8/30/21 Mile 1,206.4 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Hog Mamma sneakily pushes rocks into other peoples packs. | 8/30/21 Mile 1,206.4 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Desperate to avoid sleeping on the ground, I was able to strap up on some driftwood. | 8/30/21 Mile 1,206.4 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

My hammock among the driftwood on the beach. | 8/30/21 Mile 1,206.4 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Noisy prepares dinner. | 8/30/21 Mile 1,206.4 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Looks like I caught just about everyone by surprise! | 8/30/21 Mile 1,206.4 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Noisy muches on her usual nasty taco soup concoction. | 8/30/21 Mile 1,206.4 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

A long awaited Pacific sunset. | 8/30/21 Mile 1,206.4 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Noisy digs out her rain jacket after getting back on solid ground. Due to a one foot tide restriction, we had to make the crossing around Diamond Rocks at 1:00am. | 8/31/21 Mile 1,207.4 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Hog Mamma climbs a rope step ladder up to camp after a midnight tidal crossing. | Mile 1,208.0 157' Olympic Coast, Washington

Hog Mamma, temporarily marooned by the incoming tide. | 8/31/21 Mile 1,213.2 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

We managed to hit Toleak Point at low tide, exposing tidal pools and lots of horrendous smells. | 8/31/21 Mile 1,215.6 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Toleak Point. | 8/31/21 Mile 1,215.6 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Toleak Point tidal pools. | 8/31/21 Mile 1,215.6 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Hog Mamma plays with a fine piece of kelp that washed up on the beach. | 8/31/21 Mile 1,215.6 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Hog Mamma poses real casual like while Chilly descends a rope. 8/31/21 Mile 1,218.4 30' Olympic Coast, Washington

Noisy ascends a rope on an overland route around Taylor Point. | 8/31/21 Mile 1,219.0 35' Olympic Coast, Washington

Possibly my favorite hang ever, who'd have thought you could hammock on the beach? | 8/31/21 Mile 1,220.6 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

The La Push Marina, a fishing village on the Quillayute Reservation. | 9/1/21 Mile 1,225.2 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

The PNT crosses the Quillayute River, but a boat ride is necessary to make it to the other bank. | 9/1/21 Mile 1,225.6 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

The PNT crosses the Quillayute River, but a boat is necessary to make it to the other bank. Here the La Push harbor master gives Sparky and me a ride over. | 9/1/21 Mile 1,225.6 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

After kindly dropping us on the north bank of the Quillayute River, the La Push Harbor Master heads back to work. The PNT primary route requires going to the La Push Marina to arrange a ride across the river with a local fisherman. | 9/1/21 Mile 1,2

Hog Mamma and Noisy rock hop at low tide. | 9/1/21 Mile 1,227.1 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Hog Mamma hikes on ideal sand along Kayostla Beach. | 9/1/21 Mile 1,234.8 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

The sun rises a few miles in to my early morning hike to the terminus. | 9/2/21 Mile 1,237.8 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

The sun rises a few miles in to my early morning hike to the terminus. | 9/2/21 Mile 1,237.8 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Cape Alava, the westernost point in the Lower 48 and the terminus of the PNT. | 9/2/21 Mile 1,246.2 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

While in Olympic National Park, I became a proud Junior Ranger! | 9/2/21 Mile 1,246.2 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

My trusty maps and Field Notes book. | 9/2/21 Mile 1,246.2 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Cape Alava, the westernost point in the Lower 48 and the unmarked terminus of the PNT. | 9/2/21 Mile 1,246.2 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Happy it's done, not at all happy it's over. | 9/2/21 Mile 1,246.2 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Even though Blankie was only able to make it for half the hike, he was an excellent companion and I'm so glad he was able to come play in the mountains for the summer. | 9/2/21 Mile 1,246.2 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Noisy arrives at Cape Alava. | 9/2/21 Mile 1,246.2 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Noisy at the terminus. | 9/2/21 Mile 1,246.2 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

Just before arriving in Forks, we ran into two people who had done the trail without seeing much of anyone, so they joined our group for the final push. From left to right, myself (Couscous), Noisy, Hog Mamma, Sparky, Deathwish, Skeeter, Chilly and

Noisy, stoked on another trail completed. | 9/2/21 Mile 1,246.2 0' Olympic Coast, Washington

© Evan Leonard